Augusta GA vs Gastonia NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Augusta, GA
Georgia · Population: 201,504
- Median HH Income$53,134
- Median Home Price$177,114
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+24.2%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Augusta
201,504
Augusta +
Gastonia
81,632
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Augusta
34.9
Augusta +
Gastonia
37.2
Foreign Born
Augusta
3.5%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Augusta
32.8%
Gastonia
55.2%
Gastonia +
Black
Augusta
56.5%
Augusta +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Augusta
1.8%
Augusta +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Augusta
5.7%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,504 | 81,632 | Augusta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 37.2 | Augusta + |
| Foreign Born | 3.5% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 32.8% | 55.2% | Gastonia + |
| Black | 56.5% | 30.9% | Augusta + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.2% | Augusta + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Augusta
$53,134
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Augusta
$30,230
Gastonia
$33,611
Gastonia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Augusta
$57,405
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Augusta
7.9%
Gastonia
5.2%
Gastonia +
Poverty Rate
Augusta
21.1%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Augusta
24.2%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,134 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,230 | $33,611 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.2% | Gastonia + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.2% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Augusta
$177,114
Augusta +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Augusta
50.9%
Gastonia
54.2%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $177,114 | $279,838 | Augusta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 54.2% | Gastonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
392
Augusta +
Gastonia
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Augusta
1752
Augusta +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Augusta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Augusta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
37.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Augusta
N/A
Gastonia
15.6%
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.6% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.5% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.2% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
63.9°F
Gastonia
60.5°F
Gastonia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Augusta
43.6 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 60.5°F | Gastonia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Augusta
9.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Augusta
55.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Gastonia + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Augusta
22.1 min
Augusta +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Augusta, GA | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.1 min | 28.1 min | Augusta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while augusta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $177,114. On public safety, Augusta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Gastonia. Gastonia has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³).
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